Past and present directors of Shadow Mountain Camp, still employed in the Nebo School District, were honored recently at a meeting of the School Board. Shadow Mountain Camp is for boys and girls who have just completed the fifth grade. The camp provides educational and recreational experiences for the students in a beautiful mountain setting up the left fork of Hobble Creek Canyon. The camp was begun in the early 1970’s on donated land. The first campers slept in pup and spring bar tents on the mountain meadow. Later, under the direction of the district, the Army Corp. of Engineers donated their labor and built three A-frame cabins that are still in use today.

For a few years the camp was discontinued but in 1992, current Superintendent Chris Sorensen was appointed as the new director in addition to serving as the principal of Art City Elementary. Mr. Sorensen served as camp director for six years. Kent Westwood followed as the second director. Mark Balzotti, then principal of Grant Elementary was appointed as director and served from 2000 until 2005. Dave Harlan, newly appointed principal of Canyon Elementary, was the director for the next three years. Currently, Scott Carson is the director of Shadow Mountain.

This year Shadow Mountain hosted 698 campers with 9 full-time staff. Some of the activities the students participated in included rotations of leather works, astronomy, GPS, archery, Kimosabe, gold panning, lake hike, slip-n-slide, Supersaurus egg hunt, skits, and volleyball. They participated in campfire programs each night that included patriotic programs, retiring the U.S. flag, a local soldier, a cowboy poet, and a bluegrass band. Some fun facts about the Shadow Mountain Camp is that the students consumed 215 pizzas, 900 hotdogs, 90 gallons of Root beer, 1,550 cups of gruel and spaghetti. The students hiked 54 miles to a glacial lake and 450 students became new members of the Polar Bear Club including the director, Scott Carson.

Scott Carson said, “It was a very successful camping season. The strength of our program continues to be the experienced and dedicated staff. I had several calls and personal conversations with parents regarding the great experiences of their son or daughter. While the weather only provided one rain-free session, I am confident that every camper had an exciting and memorable experience. Shadow Mountain continues to be a vital outdoor education program and an experience that many students look forward to and remember for the rest of their lives.”

“Shadow Mountain is truly a team effort. We are grateful to all of the maintenance workers throughout the camp season. The staff and I express our appreciation to the school board, superintendent, and directors for their support of Shadow Mountain. Nebo continues to put students first,” stated Mr. Carson.

With emotion in his voice, Superintendent Chris Sorensen summarized how all the directors felt when he described what a memorable assignment it was for all of them. None would have traded the wonderful experience despite the sacrifice it required. Shadow Mountain has certainly been a worthwhile endeavor for each of these honored directors.